K-pop rookies turn a packed schedule into a stronger bond with fans
Rising K-pop group RIIZE have used an interview with Rolling Stone UK to look back on a whirlwind year of touring and the release of their latest single, “Fame.” The six-member group spent 2025 crisscrossing continents on their “RIIZING LOUD” world tour, performing a 22-song set that mixed early hits with newer tracks. Along the way, they stopped at major festivals and arena shows, including a packed date in London as part of an SMTOWN showcase. The members say the long runs of travel and rehearsals were exhausting but also deepened their connection with BRIIZE, the group’s fandom.

In the feature, the idols share behind-the-scenes stories that rarely make it into polished stage clips. One member recalls spotting families at the back of the venue in Washington, D.C., describing how seeing parents and children dance together made the show feel unexpectedly intimate. Another talks about performing in New York and trying not to tear up as the crowd shouted along to every chorus. The group reflects on how walking through cities between schedules—grabbing quick coffees, taking photos and people-watching—became their main way of actually experiencing places they only visited for a day or two. That small freedom, they say, helps balance the intensity of promotional shoots, sound checks and fan events.

The band also highlights songs that have taken on a life of their own on tour. Guitar-driven track “Siren” is described as an instant adrenaline hit that snaps them out of fatigue the moment the opening line begins. Funky single “Boom Boom Bass” has become another live favorite, with the group surprised at how perfectly crowds around the world mirror the hand moves and dance breaks. Those reactions, they say, are a reminder that K-pop choreography is now a global language: fans in Seoul, London or Los Angeles learn the same moves from the same fancams and short videos. For RIIZE, that shared choreography turns each show into a two-way performance rather than a one-sided spectacle.

Life on tour, rollerblades and mischievous energy
The Rolling Stone UK piece is filled with small character moments that help fans see past the carefully curated idol image. One anecdote describes filming the “Fame” music video, which features a rollerblading scene that some members embraced and others struggled with. One vocalist laughs about wobbling through takes, admitting he had not worn skates in years. Another notes how playful teasing around those moments helped them relieve stress, especially when cameras were not rolling. The group says those little failures and inside jokes are part of what keep them grounded amid constant pressure to perform flawlessly.

The interview also touches on how different members carry “mischievous” energy on different days. Sometimes one rapper becomes the class clown on the tour bus, other times another member takes over by sneaking pranks into rehearsals. One member jokes that his voice gets noticeably louder whenever they land in the U.S., something the others now lovingly tease him about. Another recurring joke is that two members look like “father and son” when they stand together, especially if they swap clothes and exaggerate their height difference. These details humanize the group and show how K-pop idols use humor to cope with long workdays and an online audience that notices everything.

For fans, the feature arrives at a moment when rookie groups are competing fiercely for attention at home and abroad. RIIZE’s willingness to share candid photos from the road, reflect on specific crowd moments and talk openly about nerves and exhaustion differentiates them from more guarded acts. The piece suggests that “Fame,” with its themes of navigating visibility and pressure, resonates differently after a year spent in front of thousands of people every night. As the tour winds down, the group says they are already thinking about how to grow musically without losing the on-stage spontaneity that BRIIZE have come to expect.